Hanging Wallpaper

1. Decide at what point in the room you will start hanging the paper and mark a vertical line at that point on the wall. This guideline will establish the position of subsequent sheets.
2. Carry a pasted and folded piece of paper to the wall, holding it with the top corners between the thumb and forefinger. The rest of your hand supports the rest of the sheet. This lets you position the paper at the top and lets the rest of the sheet fall into position at the wall.
3. Put the top of the paper against the ceiling, leaving a few inches of overlap, and then shift it in position along the vertical guideline.
4. Once the sheet is in position and laid reason ably fat by hand, use a wallpaper brush to smooth out wrinkles. Brushing action would be from the midline of the sheet toward the edges and toward the corners. Use the brush to tuck the paper into corners and along the ceiling line and at the bottom. Finish the surface by wiping it with a damp sponge or a soft, damp cloth such as toweling.

TRIMMING FOR EXACT FIT:

1. When the paper is hung and brushed out, mark the line where it meets the ceiling, floor, or corner by dragging the back of a scissors blade along the joint. Peel the paper down enough to permit cutting, cut along the line, and stick the paper back against the wall and brush it down in place.
2. At windows, hang a sheet over the window that must be cut around. Notch the corners back to the edge of the window, then score and cut.

HANGING TIGHT SEAMS:

1. Position a second strip along the edge of the first so that the pattern lines up and the edges of the sheets are butted together tightly-not overlapped or pulled apart at all-with a very slight ridge at the joint. This ridge will subside.
2. After the paste has started to dry and the edges have sunk back to the wall, use a seam roller to flatten the seam and press the edges of the sheets firmly into the paste. Roll once up and down. Do not roll over the seam again and again. You may create a shiny track on the paper. Keep the roller free from excess paste. Wipe it clean often.

TURNING INSIDE CORNERS:

1. Corners are rarely straight (plumb) in any but a brand new house (often not even here), so wall paper usually must be cut and fitted to carry the pattern around. Measure from the edge of the sheet before a corner, to the corner at the top of the wall and the bottom of the wall.
   Add 1/2" to these measurements and transfer the larger of the two to a sheet and cut it lengthwise. Hang the sheet against the edge of the previous sheet, letting the other edge turn the corner. Brush the sheet out and tuck it into the corner.
2. Measure the width of the remaining section of paper and subtract 1/2". Transfer this measurement to the unpapered wall at the corner and use a level or plumb bob to find the vertical line that touches this measurement, Mark this vertical carefully to guide hanging the next piece of paper.
3. Hang the second sheet, positioning it against the line and brush out as usual. Use the brush to tuck in the edge that meets the corner. If the second sheet overlaps the corner, score it with scissors, peel it back slightly, and cut along the scored line.

PAPERING OUTLETS AND SWITCHES:
Paper over existing outlets and switches as if they are not there. Note their positions with a pencil for later cuts. Use a pencil-knife to cut diagonal lines across the outlet or switch. Peel the tabs of paper back and trim the paper to expose the switch or outlet box.

A FINAL NOTE:
When working with foils, mylars, and flocked paper, take extreme care in the handling, hanging, and cutting. Paper damage occurs easily and is very difficult to repair.

This article is a primer to help you understand the principles of wallpaper selection and hanging. Seek out expert assistance from your local experienced retailer for more specific information about wallpapering your unique project.

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